Holiday Season Pick'n'Mix chart

Something for the holiday season... a collection of new and old house and techno tracks which have caught my ear as of late. It includes new material from Dosem, Carl Taylor, Diego Moreno, a classic courtesy of Todd Terry and a remix is co-produced on Canadian label Ready Mix Records.

Rob's Holiday Season Pick'n'Mix chart

Rob Warner's May 2011 Chart

Two killer albums drop this month courtesy of Dosem and Pitto, each serving up a host of quality club tracks.

 

Rob Warner's Deep-Tech Chart, May 2011
1. Dosem - Parallel Fate (Sino)
2. DeSantaRosa - ESL (Original Mix) (NightChild)
3. Pitto feat. Lilian Hak - Ceiling In Paris (Green)
4. Fer Ferrari - A Piece of Me (Original Mix) (DeepClass Records)
5. Lee J Malcolm - OneStar-Applicant (James Ruskin Rework) (EPM Music)
6. Etapp Kyle - Inception (Indeks)
7. Boom Merchant - Gorilla (BM's Twilight Dub) (Process Recordings)
8. Roman S - It's Midnight Now (Tripmastaz dub) (Asymmetric Recordings)
9. Muovo - Green Granada (040 Recordings)
10. Glass Figure - Whales Tears (707 edit) (Satellite of Love)

Classic Pick: Armando - Welcome II The Warehouse (Radikal Fear, 1996) Armando was cut from the same cloth as early Moodymann and was a shining star in the 90s until his passing in 1996. His album One World One Future was full of funk/disco sampling gems which are still an inspiration for many to this day. Youtube link

Dosem 'Parallel' Review

Fresh from collaborating with Technasia on last year's album rising Spanish production star Dosem announces the release of his first artist album, Parallel.

The best description of Parallel is that's it's a modern take on classic electronica with twists of house, techno and Balearic added in. Some of it is peak-time dance floor music while other parts are perfect for a Sunday chill.

With a sizeable 37 tracks split over two discs the first sets the mood straight away with the beachy 'Silent Drop', and 'Databasics' - the first hint of Dosem's dance-floor rocking skills - and 'Diagonal', which shows his skill at creating synthy big-room tracks which sit somewhere between classic techno and progressive house.

Those who enjoyed 'Movement', his collaboration with Technasia in 2010, wont be disappointed as he hits a similar mark again, first with 'Esnite', a grinding loopy techno track, and 'Same Process', a high energy slammer reminiscent of vintage big-room Carl Cox styles. 'Parallel Fate' is yet another slant of Dosem's skills - creating a loopy and dark DJ tool which is probably the most useful anytime track on the album.

The album has a pop-friendly moment also in 'True Elements' featuring Louder Boys. It sits only a few degrees away from having mainstream appeal but is quality enough that it'd stand out in most (good) club nights as one of the records to track down.

The second disc, 'Sendo', is where Dosem showcases some ultra-cool ambient electronica which you rarely hear anymore. It has hallmarks of French electronic legend Jean-Michelle Jarre but also that of the more chilled out tracks by English artist Bent.

Dosem's inspiration from classic sci-fi films is on show here with 'Distant Playgrounds' and 'Your Skin' both having Blade Runner soundtrack sort of qualites. Synth-led 'theme' music is probably the most apt description. 'Children of Yesterday' is similarly enjoyable and along an early Leftfield tip. Breakbeat style chillout even makes a showing in 'Six Hours' and 'Questions'. 4/4 isn't ignored on this disc either with some dubby, pitched-down house grooves by way of 'Changes' and the sublimely groovy 'Maulenia'.

There's ample to love about this album. It covers the chill-out, the synthy, the retro and Dosem's undeniable skill for conjuring up dance floor weapons. Die hard techno fans might have hoped for an entire release of that ilk but, like Technasia and Renato Cohen before him, Dosem writes the book his own way. Mission accomplished.  5/5 stars.

Album pics: 'Esnite' and 'Parallel Fate' (disc 1), 'Maulenia' (disc 2)

Dosem 'Parallel' is available as a standalone artist album or as a DJ-friendly 'separates' album in both physical or digital format.

Release date: 6 June 2011 worldwide via quality music outlets everywhere.

Dosem on Facebook, Sino Records at Junodownload

Technasia 'Central' album review

Every now and then you think times have changed and someone new is doing the damage and then Technasia decide it's time for another album.

Technasia, aka Charles Siegling, drops Central at a time when even revered artists like Joris Voorn feel a little bit routine and shows that he's lost none of the skills shown on 2006's brilliant Popsoda LP. Central is full of straight-up dance floor material along with a few slow burning gems which may con you into thinking they're filler at first but could end up in your crate for ages.

The skill here is in funky rhythm-tracks on par with the best by the likes of classic Masters at Work meshed with Detroit-esque swirling synths/basslines which result in music which is edgy, hypnotic and 'hooky' without ever being obvious. Very few producers manage such quality once let alone track after track as here.

Like all great artist albums the appeal here isn't just the concepts but also in the execution, the intricate nuances and soul which shine through here in spades. As an album this is a rare treat - it's both highly artistic with varied influences/moods, and yet almost the entire album is still club playable.

Central shows again why Technasia is one of the biggest talents in modern electronic music. Expect this to end up in most best-of lists for 2010.

Technasia 'Central' moments:

'Movement' (co-produced by Dosem) is pretty much a benchmark for the right balance between being forward-thinking and having dance floor appeal. Taking a superb rhythm and a hint of early Inner City style synth vibes makes it sound all so simple. You feel like you've heard this track hundreds of times before.

'Again' has the loopy, bouncy deep bassline groove you need to hear on an album like this. It has a sort of techno version of Pete Heller 'Big Love' kind of quality - simple, hooky and with an instantly classic feel.

'Voyager Eternals' is probably my favourite moment on the album - not because it's the biggest but because it is one of those understated hypnotic grooves which get overlooked by so many but will screw with people's sanity at 5am in a dark club.

'No Fear' could have be called French Kiss 2010 - it's a dubby, hypnotic loop morphed and tweaked over the length of the track. No flash in the pan ideas, just a raw groove.

Technasia found the time to remember the jazz influence in techno with 'Music To Watch The City Lights Late At Night' - a laid-back space jam which wouldn't be out of place in a nu-disco set.

Out now on Technasia Records.

The Technasia - Central homepage

Buy it at Junodownload